Initiative for a Competitive Inner City

On Monday, our CEO, Steve Grossman, had the honor of speaking at the first-ever Silicon Valley HBCU Tech Summit, hosted by U.S. Congressman Ro Khanna. The summit emphasized the crucial role of Black entrepreneurship in shaping the tech sector and addressed the sense of urgency in fostering opportunities for under-represented communities. Steve highlighted the mission of the summit, underscoring ICIC’s dedication to capacity building and generational wealth creation for entrepreneurs of color. He also shared plans for our exciting new initiative—the Manufacturing Accelerator Program: High-Growth Strategies for Manufacturers (MAP), a tuition-free executive education initiative developed in partnership with Harvard Business School’s Professor Lynda Applegate and the Georgia MBDA Center. This program is designed to help BIPOC- and woman-owned manufacturing businesses achieve sustainable growth. We’re proud to be on the ground floor of something truly transformative. This summit marks a pivotal moment in the history of Black entrepreneurship, and we’re thrilled to be a part of this powerful emerging story. #HBCUTechSummit #BlackEntrepreneurship #ICICOrg #ICIC #ICICResearch

Guy Fortt leads KAO Distribution LLC, a family-owned business that understands the importance of clean, quality water for overall well-being and strives to make a positive impact on both residents and businesses. Their nationwide strategy for distributing Eleven86 water is built on a comprehensive approach that addresses accessibility, affordability, and community impact. For Guy, it’s more than just selling water—it's about revitalizing communities and driving positive change. Eleven86 is now a household name, available in over 1,000 stores in Alabama and expanding throughout the Southeast. The company even helped revitalize a town of 1,000 by creating new jobs and infrastructure. Reflecting on his experience, Guy says, "The Amazon A&E program is incredibly valuable for business development and can truly impact the future success of my business." Through this program, Guy has gained critical insights—from streamlining his business plan to mastering financial forecasting, and highlighting the importance of cash flow for small businesses. The program has equipped him with the tools to negotiate favorable payment terms, manage cash reserves, and collaborate with highly knowledgeable team members from Amazon. Guy’s "why" is clear: helping people and communities help themselves, building trust and loyalty, while making a lasting impact. We’re proud to support his journey and excited to see KAO Distribution's continued success! #SmallBusinessSpotlight #Entrepreneurship #AmazonAE #AmazonAccelerate #AmazonEmpower #DiverseBusinesses #SmallBusinessGrowth #ArctarisImpact #ICICOrg #ICIC #ICICICCC #ICCC #ICCCProgram

Exciting news for Canadian business owners! Inner City Capital Connections and Pizza Hut Canada are thrilled to announce the return of the Equal Slice Program for its fourth year in 2024! Next week, we’re excited to kick off the in-person Opening Seminar for the ICCC Toronto Equal Slice Cohort! We hope all participants are getting ready and feeling the excitement! Want to join the cohort? There are only a few spots left, so apply now to take advantage of this opportunity! But if you're a Canadian business owner outside of Toronto, don’t worry—we’ve got you covered! We're launching a fully-virtual Equal Slice Canada National Cohort, starting with the Opening Seminar on October 29th and October 31st. This FREE “mini-MBA” program is designed to equip you with the essential tools to grow and sustain your business. Application Deadline for the virtual cohort: October 18, 2024. Ready to take the next step? Apply now and seize this amazing opportunity to grow your business with ICCC! https://lnkd.in/gaw_TMzy #EqualSliceProgram #PizzaHutEqualSlice #CanadaEntrepreneurs #ICCCCanada #CanadaBusiness #ICICOrg #ICIC #ICICICCC #ICCC #ICCCProgram #MiniMBA

We are beyond excited to announce that we’ve been ranked #5 on the Boston Business Journal’s 2024 list of Largest Business Advocacy Agencies in Massachusetts! This incredible achievement wouldn’t be possible without the dedication of our amazing team, the trust of our partners, and the vibrant business communities we’re honored to serve. Together, we’re making a real impact. Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey. Here’s to continuing our mission of driving growth, championing businesses, and making a difference in Massachusetts and beyond! #BostonBusinessJournal #InclusiveEconomy #Massachusetts #EconomicGrowth #ICIC #ICICorg

Entrepreneurship is often seen as an equal playing field, but for many entrepreneurs of color, structural barriers make it a different story. Join us for "Structural Barriers to Small Business Success"—a webinar on October 15, 2024, at 2 PM ET! We’ll explore a groundbreaking tool created by ICIC and Small Business Majority that combines public and private data to map out business ecosystems across the 100 largest metropolitan areas. Get a live demo of this interactive map and join the conversation about how we can use it to support entrepreneurs of color and create equitable opportunities for success. 📅 Save the Date: October 15, 2024, 2 PM ET 💻 Register now and be part of this essential discussion for policymakers, economic developers, and community organizers! Register here: https://lnkd.in/gdAwcfAY #ICICOrg #ICIC #ICICResearch #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusinessSuccess #EquityInBusiness #BusinessEcosystems #Webinar

The Home Depot (THD) is a founding partner of ICIC’s Building for Growth program which supports construction industry businesses from under-resourced areas, including those that are BIPOC-, woman-, and veteran-owned, by providing them networks, tools, and education needed to build their backlog, access capital, and increase their bonding capacity. This collaboration aligns with THD’s goals to operate as a company that reflects and supports diversity, equity, and inclusion among its associates, suppliers, and in the communities it serves. Together, we are successfully scaling construction businesses. #ICICOrg #ICIC #ICICPartner #PartnerHighlight #TheHomeDepot

During the "Doing Business With Amazon and Other Large Businesses" panel, Lili Kwan, Senior Manager of Salesforce's Supplier Diversity and Business Operations team, shared valuable tips on how diverse-owned supplier businesses can succeed when approaching big companies like Salesforce. Lili highlighted Salesforce's commitment to supporting small businesses, stating, "Since 2020, we've paid $350 million at that NET15 early payment term to more than 700 small business suppliers here at Salesforce." She also encouraged businesses to ask about payment terms: "Don’t be afraid to ask the question." Key takeaways: 📊 Tailor your approach to make an impact: "When you show up well, you are more likely to be invited to future bids." 🌐 Make sure your website represents your company well: "We (large companies) will be going to your website, and you want to be sure that it is a good representation of your company." Lili’s advice is a game-changer for small businesses looking to scale through partnerships with large corporations. 💡 #SupplierDiversity #Salesforce #BusinessTips #SmallBusinessSpotlight #Entrepreneurship #AmazonAE #AmazonAccelerate #AmazonEmpower #DiverseBusinesses #SmallBusinessGrowth #ArctarisImpact #ICICOrg #ICIC #ICICICCC #ICCC #ICCCProgram

Calling All Dallas Small Business Owners! Inner City Capital Connections is returning to Dallas for the 7th time in 2024, and you don’t want to miss out on this game-changing opportunity! Thanks to our lead sponsor, FedEx, this tuition-free program has helped 267 Dallas alumni achieve 119% revenue growth and raise $89M in capital! Why join ICCC? 🤝 Network with like-minded entrepreneurs who face the same challenges. 📈 Scale your business with systems and strategies that work. 💡 Gain confidence, sharpen leadership skills, and create a plan for unimaginable success. ⏰ Don’t wait! Apply by Monday, September 30, 2024 and be ready for the in-person opening seminar on Tuesday, October 1st! Start your journey to growth—apply today at https://lnkd.in/eJ-8tbDQ #ICCCDallas #SmallBusinessGrowth #Entrepreneurship #BusinessSuccess #FedEx #ICICICCC #ICCC #ICCCProgram #MiniMBA

Steve Hall, National Vice President for Small Business Lending at Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), shares his "why" behind LISC’s commitment to developing a thriving small business community as an ICIC capital partner. For Steve, it’s all about trust and partnership. As a CDFI, LISC knows the importance of aligning with trusted organizations like ICIC to truly make a difference. While many provide small business development and technical assistance, ICIC stands out by bringing together a powerful network of funders and corporate partners that help businesses grow. Steve emphasizes that being a trust-based partner means more than just offering financial support—it’s about being present and engaged in the communities they serve. Whether it’s attending conferences, local events, or connecting with entrepreneurs at pitch competitions, LISC shows up because they’re committed to the same goals: empowering small businesses and fostering sustainable growth. Steve’s "why" is rooted in seeing firsthand the impact of these partnerships. From direct lending to government assistance to grants, LISC has had countless conversations with ICIC participants, helping them access the resources they need to thrive. It’s this ongoing success that fuels Steve’s dedication to highlighting the value ICIC brings through its technical assistance and programs. What’s your why? #ICICOrg #ICIC #ICIC30 #ICICWhatsYourWhy #WhatsYourWhy

Attention D.C., Maryland, and Virginia small business owners! It's your last chance to sign up for the upcoming ICAN Business Mixers this week in Washington, D.C., and Baltimore. These events are all about building relationships that can help your business thrive. 🗓️ D.C. Event: 📅 Tuesday, September 24 | ⏰ 6-8 PM | 📍 The Point D.C. 🗓️ Baltimore Event: 📅 Tuesday, September 26 | ⏰ 6-8 PM | 📍 Kimpton Hotel Monaco Register today for the chance to reconnect with your fellow ICIC Alumni and expand your network by meeting new entrepreneurs! Register now at icic.org/events #ICICOrg #ICIC #ICICICAN #ICICAlumniNetwork #ICICAlum #Baltimore #WashingtonDC #Networking #NetworkingEvent